Reversible vane motor



NOV. 30, E. W. Y REVERSIBLE VANE MOTOR Filed May 20, 1942' 4 Sheeps-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

INVENTOR EDGAR W KAY NOV- 30, W. KAY REVERSIBLE VANE MOTOR Filed May 20, 1942 .4 sheets-sheet;

Flq. .5.

I I 34 A v\ I y I M INVE'NTOR ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 30, 1943 REVERSIBLE VANE MOTOR- Edgar Wayne Kay, Detroit, Mlch.,' assignor to The Oilgear Company, poratlon of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wis., a cor- Appllcation May 20, 1942, Serial No. 443,730

19 Claims;

This invention relates to reversible vane type motors and associated control mechanisms. More particularly, the invention relates to reversible vane type motors in which overrun of the rotor assembly may take place incident to reversal of its direction of rotation.

Motors of the type, to which the invention relates in particular include a vane track that surrounds the rotor and vane assembly and is adapted to contact the radially outer ends of the vanes to guide and control their inward and outward motions as the rotor rotates. .For quiet and satisfactory operation of the motor, it is practically essential that the outer ends of the vanes be urged into contact with the vane track when operation of the motor is started and that such contact be maintained continuously during its operation.

In order to provide this track-contacting and track-following action of the vanes, it is necessary to supplement the action of centrifugal force with an auxiliary force acting to urge the vanes outward, at least during the portion of their rotary travel in which they are passing through the inlet area or areas of the motor, so that the outer ends of the vanes will be held firmly in contact with the surrounding vane track and thus provide a movable resistance to the motive fluid acting upon the outer end portions of the vanes, whereby rotary motion is imparted to the rotor and driven shaft of the motor. In the vane motor of the present invention, fluid pressure means are utilized to provide this auxiliary force and this is accomplished by introducing or admitting, behind the inner ends of the vanes, fluid having a pressure sufiicient to move the vanes outward and keep their outer ends in contact with the vane track while passing through the inlet area or areas.

The present invention is not concerned with the nature of the pressure fluid admitted to the inner ends of the vanes but it is preferably a diiferenti-al pressure fluid. That is, the pressure of the fluid admitted behind the inner ends of the vanes is'a predetermined amount higher than the pressure of the motive fluid that acts upon the outer end portions of the vane to drive the motor.

The means for providing motive fluid and differential pressure fluid form no part of the present. invention. For the purpose of illustration, the accompanying drawings show that the I two pressures are obtained by passing the motive fluid through a, resistance valve but it is to be understood that any other suitable means may be employed, such as an auxiliary pump which delivers enough fluid to the inner ends of the vanes to urge them outward and which discharges the. remainder of its output through a resistance valve into the motive fluid supply channel.

Thedrive shaft, rotor and vanes are the only rotating parts of a vane type fluid motor of the character under consideration and constitutes its entire rotor assembly. These parts are relatively small and light in weight and their inertia is usually so small that, when these parts constitute the entire inertia load, they may be stopped almost instantly upon reversal of the high and low pressure fluid connections to reversethe direction of rotation of the rotor assembly, In fact, the small size and light weight of the rotating masses of vane type motors of this class are among the most important and distinctive features of such motors and make possible exceedingly rapid acceleration, deceleration and reversal. a

However, these motors are frequently employed to drive relatively large inertia loads which require either an extremely high pressure of the motive fluid to instantly stop their rotation or a relatively longer time for deceleration. In most instances it is not practical to instantly stop the rotation of large inertia loads when rotating at high speedsbecause of the excessively high pressure required to effect stoppage and it is customary to decelerate the load as rapidly as can be accomplished within certain reasonable pressure limits or as may be necessary for the safe operation of the driven device, and during such deceleration the rotor assembly tends to overrun, i. e., tends to continue momentarily to rotate in the direction in which it was rotating just prior to reversal of the motors high and low pressure fluid connections. During such overrun the device functions as a vane type pump which is driven by the inertia load, with the speed of its rotor assembly progressively decreasing as deceleration takes place so that there is a corresponding decrease in the centrifugal force available to move the vanes outward into contact with the vane track.

For quiet and satisfactory operation during periods of overrun, it is necessary to provide a force to urge the vanes outward as they pass through the inlet areas which are at that time the low pressure areas due to the motor functioning as a pump. Unless such auxiliary force is provided, the result will be noisy and unsatisfactory operation comparable to that encountered 'in any vane type pump if the vanes do not move out properly as they pass through the intake areas and in which the vanes are working against a substantial pressure.

Satisfactory operation of a reversible vane type fluid motor in which overrun oi the rotor assembly occurs thus requires a provision of an auxiliary force to urge the'vanes outward into contact with the vane track during the time that the outer ends thereof are passing through the inlet areas and this is the case irrespective oi whether the inlet areas are the high pressure areas, as is the case during normal or nonreversing operation'of the motor, or whether such inlet areas are the low pressure areas as is the case during overrun of the rotor assembly through the period of deceleration incident to reversal.

it has heretofore been proposed to supply dif- 'Ierential high pressure fluid to the inner ends of all of the vanes continuously but, during the periods between reversals, such an arrangement causes the outer end or each vane as it passes through the low pressure area to be urged against the vanetrack by a very large force which greatly reduces the eificiency of the motor and causes undue wear of the vane track and the outer end of the vane.

The present invention has as an object to provide a vane type motor which will operate quietly and eflicientiy. both during reversal and during normal operation.

Another object is to provide a vane type motor capable of being reversed at a rapid rate, that is, a motor capable of operating under conditions which require successive reversals of the motor at extremely brief intervals.

Another object is to provide a vane type motor with an automatic control mechanism which is positive and precise in operation.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the description hereinafter given of a. vane type fluid motor and associated control mechanism in which the invention is embodied.

Vane type motors are at present ordinarily energized by motive liquid, such as oil, and the present invention will be described as embodied in a constant displacement hydraulic motor and associated control mechanism limit is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to elastic fluid motors and to variable displacement motors.

The invention is exemplified hy the ane type motor and associated control mechanism shown in part schematically in the accompanying drawings ir which the views are as follows:

Fig. l is view, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical longitudinal section or a vane type motor which the invention has been applied.

g; 2 is a transverse section taken along the Fig. .3 la a fragmentary longitudinal section, partly in full, taken along the irregular line of Figs. and d.

Fig. is a transverse section taken on the line 5-4 of Fig. i.

Fig. 5 is a view or the inner face of one of the two cheek plates between which the rotor rotates.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the hydraulic circuits of the motor and its control mechanism.

figs. l, 8 and 9 are views showing the piston of the control valve in positions different from that shown in Fig, 45.

The motor has'its mechanism arranged within a casing i9 having a circular chamber i l formed therein and closed by a removable end head l2 which is attached to casing Ill by bolts 53.- Chain-7 her H has two cheek plates M and I5 fitted. therein and spaced apart by a spacer ring E6 the inner peripheral surface of which approximately elliptical and forms a vane track H, the cheek plates and spacer ring being firmly clamped together within chamber H by head It. and bolts iii.

A cylindrical rotor i3 is closely fitted for rotation between the two cheek. plates and provided with a plurality of radial vane slots is in each of which a vane 29 is slidably fitted and has its outer end in contact with ane track ll. Rotor i9 is splined upon the inner end of a drive shaft it which extends outward through casing in and is rotatably supported by suitable hearings an ranged therein, the splined connection being of such a nature that rotor Hi can adjustitself between the cheek plates and thereby permit it to be closely fitted therebetween.

As previously explained, vane track H is approximately elliptical and has been shown as having its horizontal diameter but slightly greater than the diameter of rotor i8 and its vertical diameter considerably greater than the diameter of rotor iii to thereby leave spaces between the periphery of rotor id and the upper and lower portions of vane track 11. The division between these two spaces is efiected by cooperation 01 rotor i8 and the outer ends of vanes 28 with vane track H at the region of the vane tracks least diameter, and these regions are concentric with rotor iii to provide arcs 22 which are generally known as sealing arcs and are of a length zit-least as great as the angular distance between adjacent vanes 26.

The two spaces between rotor i8 and. vane track 11 are each divided into interchangeable inlet and outlet areas with a working chamber therebetween. The inlet area and the outlet area in one of the spaces are diametrically opposed, respectively, to the inlet area and the outlet area in the other space in order that rotor i8 may be hydrostatically balanced in respect to the radial forces acting thereon. Division hetween the inlet areas and the outlet areas is effected by vanes 20 engaging track l! at the regions of its greatest diameter and these regions are concentric with rotor 53 to provide arcs 23 which are'generally known as working arcs and are of a length at least as great as the angular distance between adjacent vanes fill.

Rotor i8 and vanes "(2d form substantially iloid tight joints withthe inner faces of cheek plates i i and 35 so that, when motive liquid is supplied to the inlet areas, it will act upon the exposed portions of those vanes in contact with working arcs 23 and cause those vanes to rotate rotor and shaft 2i toward the outlet areasinto which the liquid trapped between adjacent vanes is discharged as the vanes are moved inward by passing along vane track i1 toward sealing arcs 22.

As best shown in Fig. 5, cheek plates i4 and 35 are each provided with a pair of diametrically opposedports 28 and a pair of diametrically opposed ports 29 which communicate with the interchangeable inlet and outlet areas as shown in Fig. 2, the ports in one cheek plate Toeing arranged axially opposite the corresponding ports in the other cheek plate as shown in Fig. 3. One pair of ports in cheek plate i5 is adapted to admit motive liquid to the inlet areas and the other pair of ports in cheek plate 15 is adapted asset to permit the discharge r liquid from the outlet passage 48 (Fig. 3). to an annularpassage," 1

channels 32 and 33 (Fig. 4) formed therein;

Channel 32 communicates through 'two short passages 34 with the two ports 28 in cheekplate I5, and channel 33 communicates through two plate I5. I I

When motive liquid is "supplied through pipe 30, it will flow through channel 32, passages 34 and ports 28, act upon th'e'expo'sed end portions of the vanes 20 in contact with working .arcs 23 short passages 35 with the two ports 28 incheek' 'by a channel 48 to'valve block-42.: I

with a valve block 42 which has been shown attachedto: end head l-2. vane-slot ports 38 are each connected by, a; passage; 43;(Fig. 3,) 15130 an annularv passage 44, which is formed in endhead I2. and connected by a channel v45 to valve bloclr 42. Vane slot ports 33 are eachconnected uby. a

which is formed in end head. and connected Any suitable means may be 1 employed for directing motive liquid to and exhaustingliquid w from themotor, for reversing the directiono! and-cause rotor H to rotate in acounterclockwise direction in respect'to Fig; 2, and the liquidc'an ried across arcs 23' bythe v'ane's'willbedischarged through ports 29, passages '35-and chan ncl 33 into pipe 3|w'hich is atthat'timethe discharge pipe. I Y I When motive liquid is supplied throughpipe 31, it will flow through'channel 33, passages 35- and ports 29, act upon tlie exposed portions of the vanes 20 in contact withworking arcs 23 and cause rotor I8to rotate in a clockwise diprection in respect to Fig. 2, and the liquid carried; across arcs 23 by the vanes will be discharged through ports 28, passages 34 and channel 32 into pipe 30 which is at that time the discharge pipe.

Emcient operation of'the motor requires that the vanes be held in contact" with the vane traclc at all times. Therefore, the vanes must'bemo'ved progressively outward-as they'pass through the inlet areas and be moved progressively inward by the vane track as they pass through the outlet areas. In order to obtain eflicientoperation' of the motor, the inner'end of each vane slot I9 registers successively with a plurality of vane slot ports which are formed in 'cheeir plates I4 and I5 to admit pressure liquid behind the inner ends of the vanes the outer ends of which are passing through the inletareas andgacro's's'the sealing and working arcs and to permit thedischarge of liquid from the innerfends of the slots I3 containing the vanes which are being moved inward by the vane track.

As shown in Fig. 5, each of cheek plates l4 and I5 has formed therein a pair of diametrically opposed short vane slot ports 35, a pair of diametrically opposed short vane slot ports 31, a pair of diametrically opposed vane slot ports 33 and a pair of diametrically opposed vane slot ports 39. Vane slot ports 35am spaced radially inward from working arcs 23. vaneslot ports 31 are spaced radially inward from sealing arcs 22, vane slot ports 38 arespaced radially inward from main ports'28, and vane slotports 39 are spaced radially inwardfrom main ports 29. The

vane slot ports in cheek plate Ht, extend completely therethrough in orderthat they may be connected to an external circuit but the vane slot ports in cheek plate I5 are simply grooves formed in its inner face and function as balance ports to hydrostatically balance rotor l8'in respect to the pressures prevailing in the vaneslot ports in cheek plate I 4.

Vane slot ports 36 and 31 are each connected by a passage 40 (Fig. 1) to a channel 4| which extends through end head I2 into communication liquid -flow to thereby .eflectreversal ofthe motor,- and for directing high pressure liquid "to the vane slot ports 'selectivelyibut, for the' purpose of illustration, Fig. 6 schematically shows the motor connected to a source of pressure liquid and to iexhaust through a reversing; valve, the high pressure liquid supplied directly from the pressure "source and a-resistance valve connected between the reversing valve and the source to cause a drop in the pressure of the motiveliquid supplied to theinle'tareas of the motor." 4 As shown, pipes 30 and-3|arcohnecte'd to opposite sides of a reversing valve which" in the position shown connectspipeifll to an ex haust pipe 56 and connects pipe 3I to a pressure pipe 51 and which when shifted will ca ned pipe 30 to 'pressure' pipe 5'I 'andpipe3lftofex}- haust pipe 56. Pipe 51 1's connected throu'ghfa resistancefvalve 58 to a supply pipe 59 which is connected to a sourceoi pr'essureliduid such as a pump not shown, and high pressure liquid "is supplied to the vane slot ports selectively through a a channel 60 which is connected to supply pipe I,

59. Resistance valve58 causes a drop in pressure betweenchannels 53 and 5150 thatlth'e pressure prevailing in the vaneslot ports connectedto channel 60 exceeds the v pressure of the ,moti ve liquid delivered to the inlet areas "or the jmotor by an amountequal to the pressure requiredjit'o openresistance valve 53 which ordinarilyiopens ata verylow pressure. p

The flow ofliquid to and from the 'va siot' ports is controlledby a valve which has been shown in Fig. 1 as being attachedto valve block 42 and which is shown in detail but, somewhat schematically in Figs. 6to 9, As shown, control valve 551s symmetrical about its transversecerlter'line andhas a valve member 66 arranged in a valvecasing 61' and provided, with three, spaced apartheads or pistons 68, 69 and TH) to control communication between five annular grooves or ports'II, I2, I3, 14 and I5 formed inv the boreof. casing li'I.

Valve casing 51 has two, cylinders" and I1. arranged upon oppositeends thereof and cornmunicating with ports 'Ilfand I5 respectively.

, The ports and cylinders ofvvalve65 are connected to the several ports in' the motor by a plu-f rality of passages, check valves and resistance valves as shown schematically in Fig. 6. In practice, these valves and passages are arranged in valve block 42 which'has notbeen illustrated :in detail for the reasonthat its exact construction forms no part of the present invention.

Ports l4 and 7.5 in valve casing 6'1 are connected to opposite sides of the main-hydraulic circuit by channels 84 and 85 which have been shown in Fig. 6 as being connected, respectively to pipes 38 and 3| but which in practice extend through end head l2 into communication with ports 28 and 29. Channels M and 85 are connected, respectively, to cylinders l5 and "l? by channels 85 and 8? having check valves and 55 arranged therein, respectively, to permit liquid to flow freely from the hydraulic circuit to cylinders 16 and Ti but to prevent it escaping therefrom except through chokes 82 and. 33.

Channel iii. which is connected by passages fill to vane slot ports 36 and 31, extend through valve block 42 into communication with port'll with which channel 65 also communicates so that vane slot ports 36 and 3? are continuously supplied with diflerential pressure liquid, that is with liquid at a pressure which exceeds the pressure of the motive liquid by an amount equal to the resistance of resistance valve l assage cs, which communicates through passages id and 3 with valve slot ports 33, is connected through a check valve do and a resistance valve ill to a channel 992 which communicates with port 72. i assage it, which communicates through passages ll and Ad with valve slot ports 39, is connected through a shack valve and a resistance valve 2:3 to channel which com municates with port l3. Check valves 90 and 93. permit liquid to flow freely from valve 65 to vane slot ports 38 and 39, and resistance valves ti and 9 1 offer a low resistance to the discharge of liquid from vane slot ports 38 and Channels- 92 and 55 are connected, respectively, by check valves es and ill to channel 4i and they are also connected, respectively, by check valves 98 and 98 to channels 84 and 85 so that liquid can escape from one and liquid may be supplied to the other of the two pairs of vane slot ports 38 and 39 when valve member 66 is in either one of its two positions in which it blocks one or the other of ports '12 and 13 v Operation With the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 6 and pressure liquid being supplied to pipe 59, the areas around ports 29 will be inlet areas and the areas around ports 28 will be the outlet areas, Liquid will flow irom pipe 5i! through resistance valve 58, pipe 57, reversing valve 55, pipe 3i, channel 33, passages 35 and ports 29 to the inlet areas, act upon the exposed portions of the vanes 21! in contact with working arcs 23 and cause rotor 18 to rotate in a clockwise direction in respect to Fig. 2. As the vanes pass beyond areas 23, the liquid trapped between adjacent vanes will be discharged into the outlet areas and will flow therefrom through ports 28, passages 35, channel 32, pipe 30 and reversing valve 55 into exhaust pipe 55.

At the same time, differential pressure will extend from pipe 59 through channel 60, valv 55, channel 95, check valve 93 and passages 38, ll and 3% to vane slot ports 39 and from valve 55 through channel ll and passages to vane slot ports 38 and 3?. The vanes passing through the inlet areas will be moved progressively outward and held firmly in contact with track l! by the differential pressure in vane slot ports 35 and the vanes passing across sealing arcs 22 and working arcs 23 will be held firmly in contact therewith by the differential pressure in vane slot ports 36 and W.

assess? The vanes passing through the outlet areas will be moved progressively inward by vane track H and will expel liquid from the inner ends of their vane slots 59 through vane slot ports 38,

5 passages 43, M and i5, resistance valve 9i, channel s2, valve 55 and channel 34 into the discharge side of the motor circuit.

Resistance valve 8| offers a low resistance to the discharge of liquid from vane slot ports 38 and 10 thereby prevents those vanes which are passing across ports 28 from falling to the bottoms of their slots when the motor is operating at such a. slow speed that there is insuificient centrifugal force to hold those vanes in contact with the vane 5 track. Resistance valve ac performs the same function when rotor i8 is rotating in a counterclockwise direction.

When the fluid connections are reversed as by shifting valve 55 to connect pipe as to pipe 51 29 and pipe 3! to pipe 56, liquid will tend to flow throu h. pipe 36, channel Z52 and passages 34 to ports and tend to drive the motor in the opposite direction but, if the motor is connected to an inertia load as is usually the case, the inertia of the load will cause the motor to overrun. That is, the load will drive the motor and cause it to continue to rotate in the same direction which will cause the motor to function as a pump in that it will draw liquid through ports 29 and discharge liquid into ports 28, thereby causing the pressure in the areas around ports ill to rise to a maximum as determined, for example, by a reliei valve such as the relief valves with which hydraulic transmissions are almost invariably pro- 35 vided, l

- The high pressure in the areas around ports 28 will act upon the exposed end portions of the vanes 20 in contact withworking arcs 23 and quickly decelerate'rotor 18 to zero speed and then 0 start it rotating in the opposite direction, thereby reversing the motor.

During the period between the reversal of the fluid connections and the reversal of the motor, ports 29 continue to be inlet ports but the pressure therein is very low or' negative, and ports 28 continue to be outlet ports but the pressure therein is very high. Therefore, if the pressures in the vane slot ports were reversed simultaneously with the reversal of the pressures in the inlet and so outlet areas, no liquid would be supplied to vane slot ports 39 to move outward the vanes passing through the inlet areas during that period.

iilowever, as soon as the fluid connections are reversed, liquid will flow through channel 34 to port i and shift valve member $6 toward the right at high speed until it strikes piston '19, at which time it is in the position shown in Fig. 8, and then it will continue to move toward the right at a limited rate as determined by choke 83 so until it reaches its extreme position as shown in Fig. 7. At the same time, spring 8?) will move piston 78 toward the right into contact with the inner end of cylinder '18, and piston 18 will draw liquid into the outer end of cylinder l5 through 5 channel d6, check valve 88 and channel 84.

As valve member 55 approaches its central position, pi ton 59 thereon blocks communication between port l2 and port l4 and piston 58 opens communication between port 12 and port H,

to thereby directing differential pressure liquid through channel 92, check valve 90 and passages 55, i i and 43 to vane slot ports 38, and commu'nication between port l3 and port H will not be blocked until after valve member 86 has passed beyond its central position. Consequently,

' If the movemeat'br the end of that period would depend" solely nearits"central position; 'all'of t e vane 'slotj ports are supplied with differential pressure liquid which urges=a11 of the vanes-into firm engagement wlthtlie' vane track during at least thefgreater 5 part of-the' time required to eirectfreversal of thejmo'tori f valvemember 66' could be so timed that ports 12 and 13 would both remain in communication "with port H "du'ringexactly the same'period of time that would be required to effect reversal of the motor, it wouldonly be necessary to so'construct and adjust valve'95 that valve'memberili would move quickly from one extreme position to its central position,=pause at or 15 near its centralpositlon'for the required length of time and then move quickly to its other extreme position; I

However, the time required .to effect reversal I of the motor will vary in accordance with variations in several factors including variations in the size and speed of the load driven bythe motor. Therefore, if valve 65 operated'in the above manner and the check valves and the resistance valves in valve block 42 were omitted, the motor would not operate satisfactorily for the following reasons:

If I the valvewere adjusted to maintain differential pressure'under all of the vanes'during a period equal to the longest time requiredto effect 3 reversal of the motor and the motorreversed in a shorter time, the differential pressure would cause the vanes passing through the low pressure areas to exert very high forces against the vane track between the time the motor reversed and the end of the period, thereby reducing the emciency'of the motor and causing undue wear of the vane track and the outer ends of'the vanes. If the valve were adjusted to maintain differential pressure under all of the vanes during aperiod 40 equal to the shortest time required to effect reversal of the motor and a longer time were required to effect reversal of the motor, the vanes passing through the low pressure areas after upon centrifugal force to hold them in'contact with the vane track but, since rotor l9 at-that time would be rotating at slow speed, centrifugal force would be insufficient and the vanes would drop to the bottoms of their slots and remain there until the inner ends of those slots registered successively with vane slot ports 31 and then the differential pressure therein would force the vanes out-ward at high speed and .cause them to strike the vane track with considerable force, thereby creating objectionable noise and causing damage to the vanes and the vane track. However, valve 65 and the valves in valve block 42 cooperate to efiect quiet and efficient operation of the motor.

As valve member 66 moves from the position shown in Fig. 6 toward its central position, it momentarily blocks port 12 in the same manner that it blocks port 13 after it has passed beyond its central position as shown in Fig. 9. When port 12 is thus momentarily blocked, rotor I6 is still rotating in a clockwise direction at high speed, the vanes passing across ports 29 are being moved outward by centrifugal force and the vanes passing across ports 28 are being forced inward by the vane track. The outward moving vanes will draw liquid into their vane slots from the hydraulic circuit through channel 85, check valve 99, channel 95, check valve 93, passages 49, 41 and 46 and vane slot ports 39. The inward to effect reversal of the motor."

movlngfgvanesfare eiihausting liquld into vane slot ports'36 so1 that,fif valve member 66 blocked the only channel 'ofes'capelfor this liquid, a very 'ihign'pressure would be momentarily "raised in vane slot ports 39 and the fchannels connected "thereto, However, check valvef96j is provided so" that'jthe liquid discharged by the vanes into vane slot, ports 39 at such time'may flow there- 'from through passages '43, 44" and 45, resistance valve 9 I, channel 92'and check valve 96 into chan- "nel 4 If. Thefunctions performed by check valves -96and 99 when rotor I9 is rotating in a clockwise direction is performedby check valves 91 and 99 when rotor 191's rotating ina counterclockwise directionand the fluid connections are reversed After valve member 66 strikes piston 19 and is decelerated therebyat and near its central position so that all of the vanes are held in contact with the vane track by differential pressure, it continues to move toward the right at a limited rate as explained above and during this movement it blocks port l3as'shown in'Flg. 9.

If'reversal has not taken place so that rotor I9 is still rotating in a clockwise direction when port 19 is blocked, the vanes passing across ports 29 are being firmly held against the vane track by differential pressure for the reason that port 12 at this time isopen to port II. If rotor I9 is rotating ata high enough speed centrifugal force causes the vanes passing across ports 29 to move outward into contact with the vane track and to draw liquid into their vane slots from the low pressure side of the hydraulic circuit through channel tiycheck valve 99, channel 95, check valve 93, passages 48, 41 and '46 and vane slot ports 99. If rotor i9 vis-rotating at a'low speed,

the wines passing across ports 29 will be moved outwardagainst the'vane track by liquid flowing from vane slot ports 96 and 31' to vane slot ports 99 through the lubricating film of liquid between rotor lfland each 'ofthe cheek plates, it being understood that only an extremely small amount of liquid is required forthis purpose due to the slow speed of rotor l8 and that pressure can be raised in ports 39 at'this time dueto port 13 being blocked. Liquid can 1 flow at other times through the lubricating film from vane slot ports 96 and 31 to the vane slot ports 39 or containing low pressure but a high pressure cannot be created therein unless port 12 or port 13 is blocked or open to port ll.

If reversal has taken place so that rotor I9 is rotating in a counterclockwise direction when port 13 is blocked, the vanes passing across ports 29 are being moved outward into engagement with the vane track by diiferential pressure due to the fact that port 72 is at this time open to port H, and the vanes passing across ports 29 are being moved inward by the vane track and are discharging liquid from their vane slots through ports 39, passages 46, 41 and 49, resistance valve 94, channel and check valve 91 into channel 4 I.

Valve member 66 continues to move toward the right until it reaches the position showri'iMFifi.

ling moved outward by difierential pressure into nel 95, valve 65 and channel 85 into the low pressure side of the hydraulic circuit.

When the fluid connections are again reversed, the mechanism will operate as explained above, but in the opposite direction to effect reversal of the motor and to maintain quiet and eflicient operation thereof.

The operation has been explained step by step and valve member 66 has been referred to as being in various positions but it is to be understood that the control mechanism operates continuously during reversal and that the time required for valve member 66 to move from one to the other of its extreme positions is very short, the control mechanism being used principally in connection with a fast reversing motor and sixty reversals per minute having been readily obtained.

While only a single embodiment of the nvention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the motor and associated control mechanism may be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention which is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a reversible vane type fluid motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas, means in communication with said areas for connecting said motor to a source of motive fluid and to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other.

area the outlet area, a channel for supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, means for connectingthe inner ends of said vanes witlf said channel during the time the outer endsof said vanes are passing through the inlet area and for connecting the inner ends of said vanes to exhaust during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the outlet area, and means for resisting the discharge of fluid from the innerends of those vanes the outer ends of which are passing through the outlet area.

2. Ina reversible vane type fluid motor, a. rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding .said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas, means in communication with said areas for connecting said motor to a source of motivefluid and to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from 'the other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area, a channel for supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, means responsive to reversal of the relative pressures in said inlet and outlet areas for connecting the inner ends or said vanes with said channel during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the inlet area and for connecting the inner ends of said vanes to exhaust during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the outlet area, and means for resisting the discharge of fluid from the inner ends of those vanes the outer ends of which are passing through the outlet area.

3. In a reversible vane type fluid'motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas, means in communication with said areas for connecting said motor to a source of motive fluid and to exhaust andforming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas to make it h the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area, a channel for supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, a valve for connecting the in her ends of said vanes with said channel during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the inlet area and for connecting the inner ends of said vanes to exhaust during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the outlet area, and means providing.

during movement of said valve a passage for the discharge of fluid from the inner ends of those vanes the outer ends of which are passing through the outlet area.

4. In a reversible vane type fluid motor, a rotor havingvanes slidable therein, a trackfor guiding said vanes in their inward 'and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas, means incommunication with said areas for connecting said motor to a source of motive fluid and' to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area, a channel for supplying to said-motor fl at a pressure higher than the pressure of sai motive fluid, a valve for connecting the inner ends ends of which are passing throughthe outlet area, and means providing during movement of said valve a passage for the discharge of fluid from the inner ends of those vanes the outer ends of which are passing through the outlet area.

5. In a reversible vane type fluid motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inwardand outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas, means in communication with said areas for connecting said motor to a source of motive fluid and to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct; fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area, a channel for supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, a valve operable in response to reversal the relative pressures in said inlet and outlet areas for connecting the inner ends of said vanes with aid channel during the time the outer ends of said vanes arepassing through the .inlet area and for connecting the inner ends of said vanes to exhaust during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the outlet area, and means providing during movement or said valve a passage for the discharge of fluid from the inner ends of those vanes the outer ends of which are passing through the outlet area.

6. In a reversible vane type fluid motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward move ments, means for nclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluidinlet and out.- let areas, means in communication with said areas for connecting said motor to a source of motive fluid and to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas, to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area, a channel for supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, a valve operable in response to reversal of the relative pressures in said inlet and outlet areas for connecting the inner end of said vanes with said channel during the time the outer ends of said vanes arepassing through the inlet area and for connecting the inner ends of said vanes to exhaust during the time the outer ends 01 said vanes are passing through the outlet area, means for resisting the discharge" of fluid from the inner ends of those vanes the outer ends of which are passing through the outlet area, and means providing during movement of said valve a passage for the discharge of fluid from the inner ends or those vanes the outer ends of which are passing through the outlet area.

'7. In areversible vane type fluid motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas and also providing vane slot ports spaced inward from said inlet and outlet areas respectively to register with the inner ends of said vanes as the outer ends thereof pass through said areas, mean in communication with said areas for connecting said motorto a source of motive fluid and to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area, a channel for supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, a flrst valve for controlling said ports and shiftable to connect theinner ends of said vanes with said channel during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the inlet area and for connecting the inner ends of said vanes to exhaust during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the outlet area, and a channel connecting each of said ports to said valve and having a check valve and a resistance valve connected therein and opening in opposite directions to provide a free flow of fluid to said port and to resist the discharge of fluid therefrom.

outlet areas and also providing vane slot ports spaced inward from said inlet and outlet areas respectively to register with the inner ends or said vanes as the outer ends thereof pass through said areas, means in communication with said areas for connecting said motor to a source of motive fluid and to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to'either of said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area, a channel for supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, a first valve for controlling said ports and shiftable to connect the inner ends of said vanes with said channel during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the inlet area and for connecting the inner ends of said vanes to exhaustduring the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the outlet area, and a check valve connected between each or said ports and said channel ,to prevent fluid from being trapped in said ports during movement of said first valve in either direction.

9. In a reversible vane type fluid motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas and also providing vane slot ports spaced inward from said inlet and outlet areas respectively to register with the inner ends of said vanes as the outer ends thereof pass through said areas, means in communication with said areas for connecting said motor to a source of motive fluid and to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other area. the outlet area,

a channel for supplying tosaid motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, a flrst valve for controlling saidports and shiftable to connect the inner ends of-said vanes with said channel during the time the outer ends oi. said vanes are passing through the inlet area and for connecting the inner ends of said vanes to exhaust during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the outlet area, and means for supplying fluid to each of said ports from one of said inlet and outlet areas durin movement of said valve including a check valve to prevent flow of fluid in the opposite direction,

, 10. In a reversible vane type fluid motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and traclc and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas and also providing vane slot ports spaced inward from said inlet and outlet areas respectively to register with the inner ends of said vanes as the outer ends thereof pass through said areas, means in communication with said areas for connecting said motor to a source of motive fluid and to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area, a channel for supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, a first valve for controlling said ports and shiftable to connect the inner ends 01' said vanes with said channel during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the inlet area and for connecting the inner ends of said vanes to exhaust during the time the outer ends of said vanes-are passing through the outlet area, a second channel connecting each of said ports to said valve and having a check valve and a resistance valve connected therein and opening in opposite directions to provide a free flow of fluid to said ports and to resist the discharge of fluid therefrom, and check valves connected between said ports and said first channel to prevent fluid from being trapped in said ports durof motive fluid and to exhaust and forming ,therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other arealto exhaust to make said other area the outlet area, a channel forsupplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, a first valve for controlling said ports and shiftable to connect the inner ends of said vanes with said channel during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the inlet area and for connecting the inner ends of said vanes to exhaust during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the outlet area, a

channel connecting each of said ports to said valve and having a check valve and a resistance valve connected therein and opening in opposite directions to provide a free flow of fluid to said ports and to resist the discharge of fluid therefrom, and means for supplyin'g fluid to each of said ports from one of 'said inlet and outlet areas during movement oi said valve including a check valve to prevent flow of fluid in the opposite direction.

.12. In a reversible vane type, fluid motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas and also providing vane slot ports spaced inward from said inletand outlet areas respectively to register with the inner ends of said 'vanes as the outer ends thereof pass through said areas, means in communication with said areas for connecting said motor to a source of motive fluid and to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area, a channel for supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure. higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, a first valve for controlling said ports and shiftable to connect the inner ends of said vanes with said channel during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the inlet area and for connecting the inner ends of said vanes to 75 exhaust during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the outlet area, a second channel connecting each of said ports to said valve and having a check valve and a resistance valve connected therein and opening in opposite directions to provide a free flow of fluid to said ports and to resist the discharge of fluid therefrom, check valves connected between said ports and said first channel to prevent fluid from being trapped in said ports during movement of said valve in either direction, and means for supplying fluid to each of said ports from one of said inlet and outlet areas during movement of said valv including a check valve to prevent flow ct fluid in the opposite direction.

13. In a reversible vane type fluid motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas and also providing vane slot ports spaced inward from said inlet and outlet areas respectively to register with the inner ends of said vanes as the outer ends thereof pass through said areas, means in communication with said areas for connecting said motor to a source of motive fluid and to exhaust and forming there--' with a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area,

a channel for supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, a first valve for controlling said ports and shiftable to connect th inner ends of said vanes with said channel during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the inlet area and for connecting the inner ends of said vanes to exhaust during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the outlet area. means for connecting each of said ports to said valve including a check valve and a resistance valve which open in opposite directions to provide a free flow of fluid to each port and to resist the-discharge of fluid therefrom, and a check valve connected between said channel and each of said connecting means at a point between said resistance valve and said flrst valve to Provide during movement of said first valve a. path for the discharge of fluid from the port spaced inward from an outlet area.

14; In a reversible vane type fluid motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas and also providing vane slot ports spaced inward from said inlet andoutlet areas respectively to register with the inner ends of said vanes as the outer ends thereof pass through said areas, means in communication with said areas for connectin said motor to a source of motive fluid and to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either of said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area. a channel for supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, a. first valve for controlling said ports and shiftable to connect the inner ends of said vanes with said channel during the time the outer end: oi said vanes are passing through the inlet area provide a path for the discharge or fluid from a port during movement of said first valve, and a check valve connected between eachof said areas and the port spaced inward therefrom to provide a path'for free flow of fluid from said area to said port during movement of said first valve.

15. In a reversible vane type hydraulic motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable inlet and outlet areas and also providing vane slot ports spaced inward from said inlet and outlet areas respectively to register with the inner ends of said vanes as the outer ends thereof pass through said areas, means for supplying motive liquid-to said motor including means for connecting said areas to opposite sides of a hydraulic circuit having means for reversing the flow therein to thereby make either area the inlet area;a channel for supplying to said motor liquid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive liquid, means for connecting said ports to said channel and to exhaust alternately including a valve having a plunger which in either of its extreme positions connects one port to said channel and the other said resistance valve and said first valve to 1 Pressure higher than the pressure of said motive liquid, means for connecting said ports to said channel and to, exhaust alternately including a valve having a plunger which in either of its extreme positions connects one port to said channel and the other port to exhaust and which in an intermediate position connectsboth ports to said channel, cylinders substantially larger than said plunger communicating with said valve at pposite ends thereof and forming therewith shoulders which are spaced apart a distance equal to the length or saidplunger, a piston fitted in each cylinder, springs for urging said pistons against said shoulders, passages for supplying liquid to, said cylinders, check valves in said passages to prevent the discharge of liquid therethrough from said cylinders, means responsive to operation of said flow reversing means for directing motive liquid to one end or the other of said valve to move said plunger rapidly untilit engages the piston at the opposite end or said valve and is thereby substantially stop d in its intermediate position, means providing a restricted passage for the escape of liquid from each cylinder so that said motive liquid can move said plunger only at a limited rate from its intermediate position to an extreme position, and a plurality of check valves for providing one way flow of liquid to or from said ports during moveport to exhaust and which in an intermediate position connects both ports to said channel, cylinders substantially larger than said plunger communicating with said valve at opposite ends thereof and forming therewith shoulders which are spaced apart a distance equal to the length of said plunger, a piston fltted in each cylinder, springs for urging said pistons against said shoulders, passages for supplying liquid said cylinders, check valves in said passages to prevent the discharge of liquid therethrough from. said cylinders, mean responsive to operation of said flow reversing means for directing motive liquid to one end or" the other of said valve to move said plunger rapidly until it engages the piston at the opposite end of said valve and is thereby substantially stopped in its intermediate position, and means providing a restricted. passage for the escape of liquid from each cylinder so that said motive liquid can move said plunger only at a limited rate from its intermediate position to an extreme position.

16. In a reversible vane type hydraulic motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable inlet and outlet areas and also providing vane slot ports spaced inward from said inlet and outlet areas respectively to register with the inner ends of said vanes as the outer ends thereof pass through said areas, means for supplying motive liquid to said motor including means for connecting said areas to opposite sides of a hydraulic circult having means for reversing the flow therein to thereby, make either-area the inlet area, a channel for supplying to said motor liquid at a ment of said plunger between an intermediate position and either of its extreme positions.

17. In a reversible vane type hydraulic motor, a rotor-having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable inlet and outlet areas and also providing vane slot ports spaced inward from said inlet and outlet areas respectively to register with the inner ends of aid vanes as the outerends thereof pass through said areas, means for supplying motive liquid to ,said motor including means for connectin said areas to opposite sides of a hydraulic circuit having means for reversing the flow therein to thereby make either area the inlet area, a channel for supplying to said motor liquid'at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive liquid, means for connecting said ports to said channel and to exhaust alternately including a valve having a plunger which in either of its extreme positions connects one port to said channel and the other port to exhaust and which in an intermediate position connects both ports to said channel, cylinders substantially larger than said plunger communicating with said valve at opposite ends thereof and forming therewith shoulders which are spaced apart a distance equal to the length of said plunger, a piston fitted in each cylinder, springs for urging said pistons against said shoulders, passages for supplying liquid to said cylinders, check valves in said passages to prevent the discharge of liquid therethrough from said c'ylinders, means responsive to reversal of flow in said circuit for directin motive liquid to one end or the other of said valve to move said plunger rapidly until it engages the piston at th opposite end of said valve and is thereby substantially stopped in its intermediate position, means providing a restricted passage for the escape of liquid from each cylinder so that said motive liquid can move said plunger only at a limited rate from its intermediate position to an extreme position, means providing 'a low resistanceto the discharge of liquid from each port and free flow thereto, and

a plurality oi! check valves connecting said last mentioned means to said channel and to said circuit for providing one way flow oi liquid, to or from said ports during movement of said plunger between an intermediate position and either of its extreme positions.

18. In a reversible vane type fluid motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track tor guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas, means in communication with said areas tor-connecting said motor to a source or motive fluid and to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either 01 said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid from the other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area, a channel for supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure oi said motive fluid, a valve movable from one to the other of two extreme position in each of which itconnects the inner ends of said vanes with said channel during the time theouter ends or said vanes are passing through the area which is at that time theinlet area and connects'the inner ends of said vanes to exhaust during the time th outer ends of said vanes are passing through the area which is at that time the outlet area, and means responsive to reversal of flow in said circuit tor moving said valve quick- 1y trom one extreme position to a position intermediate it two extreme positions and thereaiter moving it slowly to its other extreme position.

19. In a reversible vane type fluid motor, a rotor having vanes slidable therein, a track for guiding said vanes in their inward and outward movements, means for enclosing said rotor and track and providing interchangeable fluid inlet and outlet areas, means in communication with said areas for connecting said motor to a source of motive fluid and to exhaust and forming therewith a fluid circuit, said circuit including means for reversing the flow therein to thereby direct fluid to either 01 said areas to make it the inlet area and to direct fluid rrom th other area to exhaust to make said other area the outlet area, a channel ior supplying to said motor fluid at a pressure higher than the pressure of said motive fluid, a valve movable from one to the other of two extreme positions in each of which it connects the inner ends of said vanes with said channel during the time the outer ends of said vanes are passing through the area which i at that time the inlet area and connects the inner ends 0! said vanes to exhaust during the time the outer ends oi said vanes are passing through the area which is at that time the outlet area, means responsive to reversal of flow in said circuit for shifting said valve at high speed from one extreme position toward its other extreme position, and dashpot means ensaseable by said valve intermediate its two extreme positions to decelerate said valve and thereby enable said valve to move from one extreme position to an intermediate position at high speed and to then move to its other extreme position at a slow speed.

EDGAR WAYNE KAY; 

